Today we’d like to introduce you to Obii.
Hi Obii, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m an Afro-Italian, Afro-Euro jazz singer and songwriter. My journey in music began in the UK, where I worked as a session and background vocalist for artists like Brandt Brauer Frick, Ebony Bones, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Beaver Sheppard. I spent years in London, becoming a regular at Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s and performing with the Sofar Sounds group since 2016.
Growing up with a mix of jazz, Italian pop, R&B, old spirituals, and Africana sounds, I’ve always been drawn to music that tells stories and carries deep emotion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My love affair with Music has been a life-demarking, yet bitter, sometimes heart-sickening, frustrating relationship. Yet you never forget your first love. Your first love is the barometer you use to assess any future relationship. So, just like a toxic lover, I find myself always going back to her
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The deep well of Sarah Vaughan’s wondrous instrument has always shaped my voice. I draw endless inspiration from instrumentalists like Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, and vocal legends like The Divine One, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. Their influence guides everything I do—Fitzgerald’s fearless improvisation, Vaughan’s incredible vocal agility, and Holiday’s raw emotional honesty.
What sets me apart, and what I’m most proud of, is how my music speaks to people’s hearts while honoring the traditions that shaped me. Jazz is my home, but I’m always reaching outward—blurring boundaries, weaving new sounds, and letting my voice tell stories that are as rich and complex as my own heritage.e.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
you can contact me or management at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisobii/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083213872413
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEp6GOyZ06o
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thisisobii
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisisobii
Image Credits
Cyrus Christophe
